Let’s sip on the season’s most refreshing cocktail with this tequila sour! Featuring a creamy, frothy topping and bright, fresh lemon juice, this ultra smooth tequila cocktail makes for a fun twist on the popular margarita, and it only takes a few minutes and handful of ingredients to whip up. After just one sip, you’ll have a new favorite recipe for enjoying tequila.
Jump to:
Why You Need to Make This Recipe
If you love a classic margarita, you will adore this tequila sour. Here are a few reasons this cocktail has stolen my heart.
- That frothy topping. Thanks to a vigorously shaken egg white, we get a velvety, silky texture with each sip.
- Ultra refreshing. We use a healthy dose of fresh lemon juice as well as a few dashes of orange bitters to give this tequila sour a citrusy kick.
- Something fun and different. Margaritas are easily the most popular cocktail for whipping up at home and for good reason -- they're always a crowd pleaser. But this tequila sour is just as delicious, and I'm sure you and your guests will enjoy a cocktail that's a bit different from the ordinary.
- Quick and easy. In under five minutes, you will have the perfect tequila sipper in hand. What's not to love about that?
Ingredients
Considering that tequila is our star here, I love using an añejo tequila. The three most common types of tequila are blanco, reposado and añejo. After distilling, añejo tequila ages in oak barrels for one to three years, allowing it to develop a richer, more complex flavor with vanilla, caramel and spice notes.
If you don't have añejo tequila, reposado tequila, which ages for two to 12 months, makes a good substitute. We still get those oak notes, but they're not quite as intense.
Blanco tequila doesn't spend any time aging in oak barrels, so it's sharper and not nearly as smooth or nuanced. Because of this, it's not my favorite liquor for a tequila sour, but if you love the blanco variety, feel free to use that in this instead and let me know how it goes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Our first step is to grab a cocktail shaker and add our tequila, egg white, lemon juice, agave nectar and bitters (photo 1).
Step 2: We pop on the top and give it a good shake, about 30 seconds (photo 2). You’ll notice we’re not using ice quite yet. This is called a dry shake.
Step 3: Now we add a handful of ice (photo 3) and shake again. For this shake, we want to go even longer — at least a minute. This longer shake ensures we get those frothy topping that makes this tequila sour so special.
Step 4: All that’s left is to strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist for an elegant touch (photo 4). How easy was that?
Now sit back and enjoy a delightful evening with a delicious cocktail in hand. And if you love this sour cocktail, make sure you also try my rum sour and cranberry bourbon sour!
Recipe FAQS
While raw egg whites do come with risk, it’s minimal. To safely include egg whites in your cocktails, use eggs that have been inspected without cracks and store them in the original container toward the back of your refrigerator. You can also use pasteurized eggs for any extra safety precaution.
By not adding ice in the dry shake, the egg white emulsifies at room temperature for more aeration, which creates a thicker layer of that frothy topping. Plus, it only takes 30 seconds, so it's well-worth your time.
Bonus: If you love this frothy topping, you'll also enjoy these cocktails: Ramos gin fizz, blood orange gin fizz, strawberry-rhubarb gin fizz and cucumber-lavender gin fizz! As you can tell, we love frothy cocktails around here.
A sour glass, of course! These glasses come with an outwardly curved edge that helps the silky egg white slide onto your tongue and direct the aromas to your nose. However, if you don't have sour glasses, a coupe glass works nicely or even a martini glass.
Expert Tips
- To chill your serving glass, place it in the freezer 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can fill the glass with cold water and ice as you mix the cocktail. Dump the water and ice after mixing, and you’ll have a chilled glass.
- While I love the extra citrus touch the orange bitters add, feel free to substitute angostura bitters, which may be easier to find.
- To properly agitate our egg whites, make sure you shake using two hands to get enough force behind the shake.
- I used lemon juice because it’s the typical citrus used in sour cocktails and gives us a different spin from your typical margarita, but feel free to substitute lime juice if you prefer. They are both delicious options. Either way, make sure you use freshly squeezed juice for the best results.
- Love a fruity cocktail? Try muddling your favorite fruit with the agave first and then proceed with the rest of the directions.
Perfect Pairing
For dessert, I love my chocolate-covered cherry cheesecake. Añejo tequila and chocolate are a classic pairing. As if that’s not enough, cherries come together with the vanilla, caramel-like notes from the oak barrel to make for one luscious treat with this tequila sour.
When you’re in the mood for something a bit different than you classic margarita, I hope you give this tequila sour a try. You’ll love each and every refreshing sip.
Cheers!
Looking for More Tequila Cocktails?
Please let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook.
Tequila Sour
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Citrus juicer
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 2 ounces tequila preferably añejo
- 1 ounce agave nectar
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice about ½ lemon
- 2-3 dashes orange bitters
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the egg white, tequila, agave nectar, lemon juice and bitters to a cocktail shaker with no ice. Put on the top and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Remove the top and now add a handful of ice. Place the top back on and shake vigorously for at least a minute to build up the frothy topping.
- Strain into a chilled sour, coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't have añejo tequila, reposado is my preferred substitute as opposed to blanco tequila.
- To chill your serving glass, place it in the freezer 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can fill the glass with cold water and ice as you mix the cocktail. Dump the water and ice after mixing, and you’ll have a chilled glass.
- If you can't find orange bitters, substitute with angostura bitters.
- To properly agitate our egg whites, make sure you shake using two hands to get enough force behind the shake.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Natalia says
You can never have too many cocktail recipes, especially this time of year. I loved everything about this! Lemon and orange are one of my favorite combos. I will definitely be making it again and again. Thank you!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You’re very welcome!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Oh I so need another one of these! It’s perfect for a summer gathering and is absolutely delicious!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'm so glad you liked it! I feel like I could drink it all night.
Jacqueline Debono says
This tequila sour was really summery and refreshing. Planning to make it again later today to drink while we watch the Euro football finals ( Italy v England!).
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
How fun! I hope you had a blast!
Cathleen says
Wow, I wish I could have this!! But I'll be making this for my husband until baby arrives. This looks amazing!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Congrats on the upcoming family addition! This recipe will be waiting for you when you're able to relax with a cocktail again, and I'm sure your husband will love it in the meantime. 😀
Tammy says
Oh my gosh, this was so refreshing for a hot day and it looked beautiful! Just loved that bright color. What a lovely summertime cocktail.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you, Tammy! It's perfect for patio nights.
Veronika says
We made this for a happy hour at the house with friends. Talk about a new favorite cocktail! Everyone just loved it and wanted the recipe. Fabulous drink!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Cheers!
Bernice says
You had me at tequila. I'm a huge fan and love margaritas and palomas, so I had to make this. It's so light and refreshing. Already can't wait to make it again this summer.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad you loved this!
Marta says
I have to say that adding the egg whites creates a whole'nother cocktail. Excellent choice!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Right?! I just love the texture they add.
Lauren Michael Harris says
Amaretto and whiskey sours are my favorites, but I've never tried a tequila sour before - just loved it! Tasted amazing!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'll cheers to that!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this tequila sour recipe! Very easy to make and tasted really amazing! Will make it again! Highly recommended!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Yay! I'm so, so glad you loved it!